Peering into the Past

Writing Reflection

My writing demonstrates appropriate ideas and content in several ways. In the Alchemist essay, my writing made sense consistently. I had a clear and focused topic, and I appeared to know the topic well. Included relevant supporting details, and did not stray far from the main topic at hand. At the beginning, I had a good quote and a thesis with a good choice of traits. I also had accurate background information. In my Julius Caesar essay, my focus on the top was clear and definite. My claims were clear and thoroughly supported. I used better context for the quotes than I had in the Alchemist, and thus better developed understanding of the quote. My quotes and evidence were also significant. I had thoughtful interpretations that were enhanced by the use of good vocabulary.

I could improve my writing to better express my ideas and content by further explaining how my quotations relate to the main idea of the paragraph. In my alchemist essay, I made several statements that I could have elaborated on. Such as when I didn’t say how Santiago’s commitment to his sheep facilitated his learning of the Language of the world, and what he learned from his experience of speaking with the desert. I also used an example that technically had already been used. In my Julius Caesar essay, I stated the Cassius was a conniving weasel, but the reader may have not essentially known that. I used patriotism as my second motivating factor, and this was not a very strong trait, a better one would have been ambition.

My writing demonstrates appropriate organization. In my Alchemist essay, I had accurate choices of background knowledge in the beginning, and made my thesis clear. My topic was always evident, and I had god set-ups for my quotes. My conclusion wrapped things up. The overall structure helped to process ideas. In my Julius Caesar essay, my thesis was also clear and I had effective topic sentences. I set up the context for my quotes clearly. I linked my ideas effectively with transitions, and my sequencing and pacing was accurate.

I could demonstrate superior organization in certain areas of my writing. In The Alchemist essay, my transitions were often formulaic, and I broke down the ideas in my paragraph by saying firstly and secondly. In my Julius Caesar essay, my ending was slightly cliché and my wording got mixed up in places.

I note a significant improvement between my Alchemist essay and my Julius Caesar essay. I had more thoughtful interpretations; better lead-ins, more thorough explanations and clearer transitions that were less formulaic. I felt I improved significantly in both Ideas and Content, and Organization. Looking back, I see how far I have come as a writer and look forward with hope to further develop my writing skills.

An SLR I accessed while crafting these essays was Reason Critically. I had to reason critically to find relevant character traits that would give me opportunity to elaborate on. I had to reason to formulate the organization of my paragraph, and think out how I would lay my essay out and pace to it to enhance the reader’s understanding. I had to find several quotes and reason critically to pick ones that would allow me to support the characteristic I was writing about.

What Goes Around, Comes Around

“I had as lief not be as live to be in awe as such a thing as myself” (Act 1.2 Lines 94 – 95). Cassius, a protagonist from the Shakespearean play “Julius Caesar,” felt that Caesar did not deserve the high status he held in Rome or any the honors that were heaped upon him. Cassius believes that Caesar is no greater than he is, and would have rather died than be in awe of him. Envy and Patriotism motivated Cassius to conspire against Caesar, as Cassius believed Caesar was weak and would begin tyranny in Rome.

Cassius greatly envied the power and support that Caesar received from Rome. He felt that he was superior to Caesar, and that Caesar was nothing more than a weak girl. Cassius’s envy compelled him to plot a conspiracy against Caesar. When Cassius convinced Brutus, one of the most honorable men in Rome, to join the conspiracy, he started out by portraying Caesar as a man who was their equal. He pointed out that Caesar held a significantly higher status than they did, and goes on to question why Caesar should hold such a status, if he is no greater than any of them. Cassius then relayed a story of how Caesar challenged him to a race in the river Tiber, and would have drowned if Cassius had not saved him. ““And this man is now become a god, and Cassius is a wretched creature, and must bend his body if Caesar carelessly but nod on him” (Act 1.2 Lines 114 – 117). Cassius sourly remarked that though Caesar owed Cassius his life, Cassius was still required to bow before Caesar. People in Rome thought of Cassius as a conniving weasel, and thought of Caesar as a god. Cassius felt that he had proved himself to be superior to Caesar in the race, but was angry that he must beckon to Caesar’s every whim as if Caesar was the winner. Cassius envied that Caesar is able have power over him even after Cassius proved himself to be superior. Cassius then told Brutus the story of how Caesar cried like a sick girl when he had a fever. “Ye gods it doth amaze me a man of such a feeble temper should so get the start of the majestic world and bear the palm alone.” (Act 1.2 Lines 127 – 130). Cassius remarked how ridiculous it is that a man so lacking in courage was able to outdistance himself from other common Romans and gain such a high position in Rome. Cassius was calling Caesar weak, and just like, if not inferior, to every other Roman. He commented that is amazing that a weakling like Caesar is able to rule Rome alone. Cassius’s envy for Caesar has driven him to plot a conspiracy to kill the “mighty” Caesar. And though envy is his main driving motive in plotting it, Patriotism also plays a hand in Cassius’s conniving mind.

Cassius had an obligation to his country as a Roman to look out for it’s well fare, and felt that Caesar was not doing this. Cassius knew that Caesar’s ambition was threatening to turn Rome from a republic to a monarchy or a dictatorship. He held certain rights in Rome’s current governing system, rights that he would lose if Caesar became king. Caesar was driven much more by envy to act against Caesar, but was able to use this other small motivator to recruit other people into the conspiracy. This was key to convincing Brutus, one of the most influential and noble men in Rome, to joining the conspiracy “There was a Brutus once that would have brook’d the eternal devil to keep his state in Rome, as easily as a king.” (Act 1.3 Lines 157-159). Cassius knows that Brutus values honor above all else, and it would not be honorable for Caesar to become king. There is too much power he would have the opportunity to misuse. Cassius was able to play on the inkling of fear that was beginning to manifest in Brutus, and mold it to suit his needs. Brutus, left to his own thoughts, made this inkling grow and eventually convince him to join the conspiracy. When Cassius goes on to recruit Casca, he plays much on this reason as well. “And why should Caesar be a tyrant then? Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf, but that he sees the Romans are but sheep” (Act 1.3 Lines 103 – 105). Cassius is accusing Caesar of being a tyrant, and threatening their governing system. Cassius thinks that Caesar is only able to lead Rome, because Romans do not have the wit to be able to do anything but led him lead. Caesar is only able to be a wolf, because Romans are naught but gullible sheep. This glimpses at a bit of Cassius’s true feelings that are mixed with patriotism. Cassius motives are not strongly patriotic, but he knows he needs to display them as patriotic to convince others to join his conspiracy.

Cassius believed that someone as weak as Caesar did not deserve any power or support, and was willing to do anything to knock Caesar of his throne of respect and honor. Envy and Patriotism drove Cassius to plot a conspiracy that would be the downfall of Caesar, Brutus, Rome and even himself. He lied, cheated and conned to recruiting the right people and twisted their minds to believe that what they were doing is honorable. His intentions were everything but. He was able to achieve his goal of removing Caesar from power, although an unexpected chain of disaster exploded afterwards. He succeeded in killing Caesar. He had wanted Caesar to lose his power, and he did after he died. In the end Cassius got the main thing he had wanted. His goal was certainly not a noble one, and even Cassius had known that from the very beginning. He lied about his great concern for Rome’s governing system and the welfare of the people. His main concern from the beginning was his own welfare, which was selfish and egotistical. Karma came back to hit Cassius hard in the face, when he committed suicide after he thought all was lost. Cassius is a clear example that what goes around, comes around.

The Fish Hook of Liberty

LINKS: Background information

http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/voices-for-darfur-video

http://www.lostboysfilm.com/learn.html

http://www.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/sudan/

http://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/sudan/conflict-profile/

The "Lost Boys" of Sudan endured countless experiences filled with setbacks, conflicts and challenges while migrating from Sudan to Kenya, and during their assimilation into the American culture.

Brief History:

Push factors behind the "Lost Boys" migration from their home in Sudan to the refugee camp in Kenya were the unequal land distribution and cultural differences throughout Sudan. These conflicts spurred rebels to attack villages and made the inhabitants engage in forced migration and become refugees. On their journey from Sudan, through Ethiopia and to the refugee camp in Kenya, the "Lost Boys" encountered more conflicts. Starvation, heat, exhaustion, and losing friends and family greatly deterred the progress of the "Lost Boys." When they finally reached the refugee camp, they were greeted by yet even more difficulties. Natural Disasters plagued the area, and food was rationed sparsely. Some of the refugees were sponsored to move to the United States, where they could be properly educated and help their relations in Sudan.

"Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward.(Henry Ford).

Peter, a young man from the "Lost Boys" Documentary faces several difficulties while assimilating into the American culture. When he first received news that he would be moving to America, he was thrilled. He believed that it would be 'heaven on earth" and life would be better and easier when he arrived there. However when Peter arrives in Texas, he realizes that it is anything but. Peter is faced with hundreds of concepts that he must understand and objects that he must learn to use if he wishes to have a successful life. Peter must learn how to manage his money, follow the law, work his occupations, drive a car, use technology and much more. Another dilemma that Peter faced was the language barrier. He had to learn and be fluent in English if he wished to thrive. As his fellow "Lost Boys" seemed to not care about their education, Peter moved to Kansas, to focus on his education. In Kansas, Peter was being pulled in many different directions. Peter had to attend school, support his living with a job, complete his homework, and deal with his relations in the Refugee Camp that were urging him to send money back to them. On top of all this, he was trying out for the basketball team and trying to make new friends in his school. Peter also faced racism and stereotyping. People thought he would be lazy, untidy, steal from them, hurt them. His own teacher automatically assumed that he would not need to take any college entrance exams because he would be going to the community college. Peter faced all the conflicts he encountered in the Unites States with the determination to succeed. He worked hard at everything that came his way, exceeds everyone's expectations. He built upon what he already knew, and focused on the new things he was learning so he could perform them well. He was dedicated to all of his obligations and passions, and gave everything he did his best effort. This effort payed off in many areas, like when he wrote a biography that surpassed what his teacher expected, made a group of new friends, learned English, got into a proper college, and much more. Peter did not succeed in everything though, but that did not deter his effort. He was not able to make the basketball team, but this did not get his spirits down, and he continues to play basketball with his friends.Peter managed to succesfully assimilate into the american culture, and at the same time benefit his relations back home. Peter bit onto the fish hook of liberty that pulled him out of the murky water, and though it was hard to breathe once he got out, his determination allowed him to learn how to breathe and survive.